The University of New Brunswick has become the latest Canadian university to ban pub crawls that are in any way affiliated with university organizations.
Students received an email in the past week advising them of the policy change. The email cites lack of insurance as one of the reasons for the ban.
UNB associate vice-president academic Shirley Cleave says there have been several alcohol-related deaths on campuses across the country over the past several years, and says pub crawls are not an appropriate activity.
First-year law student Marc Pelletier says he’s disappointed with the ban. Pelletier tells Global News he moved here this week from Winnipeg and was looking forward to meeting other students at social events.
“It would have been a great way for me to get to know students and just to have some bonding time,” Pelletier said.
St. Francis Xavier finance student Luke Lacey was visiting friends at the UNB campus Thursday. He says he’s been on several pub crawls in the past, and thinks they are fun for students.
Cleaves says the University of New Brunswick is one of the last school to implement the ban.
Students around campus tell Global News that pub crawls are a source of fundraising for many groups. Cleaves says students groups are still able to host events with alcohol, but they need to develop events where alcohol is consumed responsibly.
Officials with the UNB Student Union say if fundraising is a concern they will work with groups to come up with other ideas, and also funding available to help groups host other events.
Officials from Saint Thomas University tell Global News they are also considering a ban on pub crawls. They say they will make a decision in the next two weeks.